Pitt Meadows, B.C. (BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF)-- Christina Proteau of Port Alberni captured the 2013 Women's Mid-Amateur title at the par-74, 6220 yard Pitt Meadows Golf Club after a blistering round of four-under-par 70.
In the final round of the Mid-Amateur Championship, Proteau put together what would be a tournament-tying low 70 (broken 5 minutes following its posting), allowing her to surpass 23 other competitors on way to victory.
"Today was a very good round especially given the lack of momentum coming into it. I wasn't feeling too super after yesterday's round" stated the jubilant Proteau after hearing her named called as the champion.
Proteau started her championship off with a 76 followed by an uncharacteristic +6, 80. It was this round that Proteau was referring to before she picked apart Pitt Meadows on Thursday with five birdies and a single bogey to post +4 overall, 226 total (76-80-70).
Proteau notched her third Women's Mid-Amateur title in five years and could have been victorious in last year's event if it weren't for losing in a playoff to Kyla Inaba.
"I was thinking about last year a little bit today and it did motivate me," stated Proteau. "For me that did sting and that sting stayed with me a little while. It was motivation to not feel like that again."
Proteau was incredibly happy when reminded that she could raise the Jackie Little trophy as Mid-Amateur champion.
"Jackie is a good friend of mine and started off as a mentor to me when I was younger at my first BC [Women's] Amateur," mentioned Proteau.
"It is an honour. Jackie is a Hall of Famer and a first class competitor so to win something with her name on it is awesome."
Little finished fourth in the Mid-Amateur at Pitt Meadows, with a three-day score of 81-80-80-241. She finished six-over-par in today's round.
Finishing runner-up in the Mid-Amateur division was Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay. Stouffer was unable to hang onto her second round single-stroke lead because she ran into a red-hot Proteau. Stouffer would however be crowned the Master-40 division champion thanks to rounds of 78-77-76, 231 total. Holly Horwood of Vancouver finished solo third in the Mid-Amateur division after consistent rounds of 80-80-79, 239 total.
Meanwhile in the Amateur division, things are heating up heading into the final round tomorrow. First round leader Cassy Isagawa of Wailuku, Hawaii shot a course-record six-under-par 68 third round to post a 54-hole, 212 total. This puts Isagawa at -10 overall, two strokes ahead of second round leader and good friend Soo-Bin Kim of Port Coquitlam.
Kim kept herself within reach of her NCAA competitor compliments of a three-under-par 71, 214 total (72-71-71). Sitting in solo third is Kelowna's Megan Osland who is at -4, six strokes back of Isagawa (71-76-71).
"Today was a pretty steady day. I finally made an eagle today," mentioned Isagawa.
"It feels good knowing that I played good today. I made a few mistakes out there but no round is perfect."
Asked about playing with her friend in tomorrow's final round, Isagawa seemed excited at the chance to perform with her good mate.
"Soo-Bin and I have known each other since 2008 so it is good to have a competitor like her and the other BC girls going into the final round."
The reigning champion from 2012 in Richmond's Christine Wong sits tied with Surrey's Taylor Kim and Coquitlam's Jennifer Yang at -3, seven strokes back of Isagawa's pace.
The final round is set to begin 7:30am tomorrow with the leaders teeing off at 9:27am. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Click here for the full Mid-Amateur leader board
Click here for the full Amateur leader board
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